Daily Archives: January 10, 2011

By nature, I’m not what you would call a “blogger.” When I wrote my first blog post, I think my arrogance had me think that people would quickly latch on to my irresistible wisdom -that didn’t happen. In fact, I haven’t shared any of my thoughts through this WordPress account in quite some time. The Holy Spirit has his ways of teaching God’s people humility and dependence. Through his help I’ve come to realize that my best thoughts are always someone else’s which is why it is freeing for me to write this post. God’s desire isn’t to have great pastors, songwriters, authors, and missionaries -God’s desire is to make his name great through His followers. “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3b Emphasis Added).

I’m beginning to see that the light suffering that comes my way isn’t God’s punishment for the sin in my life -that would be living by karma, not grace (by the way, anything better than Hell is a gift of grace). God allows us to stagger through the desert so we can learn how to be dependent upon Him. In the desert our proud, independent spirit becomes helpless and thirsty, we feel the weight of our needs and cry for help, the dry heat of our circumstances has us thirsting for nothing less than the presence of God, and before you know it we are praying like David.

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.3He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

in the midst of bitter circumstance, God’s fellowship is sweet. When you find yourself in the desert, look for the Wellspring of life: Jesus.